LIVERPOOL - 100 THINGS
My
home city of Liverpool has many 'firsts' to its' name - a long and
distinguished history of creativity, forward thinking and social reform.
Like any city, there are darker bits too. This blog is a photo essay
reflecting on and celebrating these various themes - my own considered
list of 100 things that set my city apart from any other.
Herbert Howe started life as a ladies hair dresser in a small salon called Hills in Cases Street - I know that because my Mum always used to tell me how he washed her hair on his first day as an apprentice there - 'And he's one of them - you know - a homo' she used to add in her own politically incorrect style. In spite of being 'one of them' he went on to own his own salons and achieve pre-eminence in his line of work: Liverpool's hairdresser to the WAGS and wannabees.
#40
21 - 40
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#21
THE LIVER BIRD
The
origin of the City's emblem, the Liver Bird, is a subject of lively debate. It
is thought that the image dates from the City's seal - created in 1207 when
King John granted Liverpool a City Charter. On his seal was an eagle and many
people believe this was the original Liver Bird. The seal was lost during the
seige in 1644 and a copy was made later. Guessing at what the original looked
like, the bird now resembled a cormorant rather than the eagle of St. John. The
name of the mythical creature is derived from the Scandinavian term ('Laver')
for the wrack - or seaweed - that the bird carries in its' beak.
One
of the oldest examples of the current device can be seen in the stained glass
windows of St Lukes - built in 1832. Examples of the bird can be found all over
the city and the above are just a small sample.
The
bird exerts a powerful influence on the population. The Liver Bird stands
proud, wings raised defiantly representing the indomitable spirit of the people
of Liverpool. From The Cruel Sea by
Nicholas Monsarrat - the scene - a convoy steaming up the Mersey after a
dangerous wartime Atlantic crossing: 'A message from the Commodore, sir - "Nice
to see those Liver Birds again. Thanks and goodbye". Lockhart looked up
river, towards the great gilded birds that topped the Liver Building in the
heart of Liverpool. He shared the Commodores sentiment down to the last tip of
their wings..."
These birds have meant so much to so many for
so long. Their proud nature - their uniqueness - a perfect marque for a city
that thrives on its' distinctive individuality. Is there another city in the
country that is blessed with such a unique and powerful civic motif?
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#22
SIR ROBERT JONES
Sir
Robert Jones was a surgeon at the Liverpool Southern Hospital between 1889-1918 and he became known as the
father of modern orthopaedic surgery. As Director of Military Orthopaedics
during the First World War, he advanced the treatment and rehabilitation of
injured soldiers, saving thousands of limbs and hundreds of lives.
He
played a key role in the foundation of the children’s hospital now at Alder
Hey. A visionary and pioneer in his field - another person who made the world a
better place. Made in Liverpool.
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#23
FRANK HORNBY
Frank Hornby was born in May 1863 at
Copperas Hill, Liverpool. While working as a book-keeper in 1899, Hornby began
to fabricate toys for his own children in his home workshop . Fabricated metal
sheets with regular perforations made the construction of complex mechanisms
relatively simple. Hornby had created 'Meccano'. He secured the patent rights
to his invention through a local Patent Agent - W.P.Thompson - whose register
from 1901 still show the entry for this world changing idea.
Meccano went on to
be manufactured on an industrial scale and this educational 'toy' was an
introduction to simple mechanical principles for countless budding engineers.
His inventiveness didn't stop there as Hornby went on to create a Hornby Model
Railway business and 'Dinky Toys' - a timeless collectible pleasure for
countless young boys like me.
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#24
THE BLUECOAT CHAMBERS
The
Bluecoat Hospital and School was founded in 1709 by a Liverpool seafarer, Bryan
Blundell through whose efforts the money was raised to build a school for
Liverpool's homeless children.
The
present building is largely a restoration of the original which suffered extensive
bomb damage in WW2. It retains the air of a 18th century cultural haven in the
middle of the bustling city centre and it's gallery space is always worth a
visit.
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#25
MERSEY FERRIES
The
Mersey Ferries have been an iconic and essential part of Liverpool life for
longer than most people think. As early as 1150, the monks at Birkenhead Priory
rowed passengers across the river - a
hazardous and dangerous two hour endeavour in those dim and distant days. The
boats departed from this area near Woodside.
By
the time Liverpool had been officially declared a town in 1207 ‘ferries’ were
already an established sight. Since then, The Ferries have regularly delivered millions between the
Wirral and Liverpool - commuters, holiday-makers and tourists.
As
the Mersey Tunnels lured commuters away from the Ferries, the emphasis shifted
gradually back towards making the Ferries a tourist attraction although they
remain, for some, an efficient and stress-free means of getting to and from
work.
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#26
LYCEUM LENDING LIBRARY
In 1803 the Lyceum News Room was erected at a cost of £11,000 on the
site of a timber-yard in Bold Street.
The Lyceum soon became home to Liverpool's subscription library, which
had been founded in 1757. This is believed to have been the first circulating
or lending library in Europe. There were 888 members of the Library in 1814.
Liverpool went on to develop the concept of libraries and is now endowed
with one of the finest municipal libraries in the country. Redeveloped between
2009 and 2013 - the latest facility combines practicality with architectural
style - a cultural and aesthetic feast that be-fits a city with the vision to
create the first lending library more than two hundred and fifty years
ago.
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#27
JAMES CLARKE / ELDONIAN VILLAGE
James
Clarke was born in Guyana in 1886. At 14 he stowed away on a ship bound for
Liverpool where he was adopted by an Irish family in the Scotland Road area. By
day he worked on the docks but in the evenings he trained hard as a swimmer,
beginning his swimming career at Wavertree Swimming Club where he won many
medals. He lived near the Tate & Lyle sugar factory and could often see
children bathing in the nearby canal. As many of them couldn’t swim they often
got in to trouble and, concerned by this, Jim started to hold swimming lessons
at his local swimming pool. More than that, he saved many lives by using his
swimming skills to pull countless youngsters out of the canal.
Subsequently,
many schools soon followed his lead and swimming lessons became a regular
feature of school life. All thanks to James Clarke. This plaque in tribute to
one of the city's favourite sons sits, appropriately, on the wall of the
Eldonian Village Hall, overlooking the canal.
The
Eldonian Village is a success story in its' own right - a living testament to
the strong will and determination of people like Tony McGann who was determined
to keep his community intact in the face of urban planners decimating vast
tracts of the city’s neighbourhoods. The Eldonian Village became a role model for
urban regeneration around the world winning UN recognition and widespread
acclaim as an example of what can be achieved when the people get together to
assert their wants and needs. That sense of community and civic responsibility
is personified by people like James Clarke and Tony McGann.
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#28
JAMES STREET STATION
Opened
in 1886, James Street Station together with Hamilton Square underground station
in Birkenhead are the oldest deep level underground stations in the world.
James Street was also the terminus for the first ever sub-river rail crossing.
The
station remains in use to this day as an integral part of the Merseyrail
network - one of the most efficient urban rail networks in the country.
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#29
LIVERPOOL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
This
is my old school. It was founded in 1843 and designed by the same architect as
St Georges Hall. It eventually closed as a school in 1987 after a fire
decimated the school hall. It was subsequently converted into apartments and the
building re-opened in 2000.
I
wish I could write good things about my time there between 1965 and 1972 but,
to be honest, I hated the place. All of the lasting friendships that I made at
the time were made outside of school. And the staff failed to even identify,
let alone nurture, any of the talents that have seen me prosper, later on in
life. With the best will in the world, I can't find anything positive to say
about my own time at the Collegiate.
And
yet, the war memorial that still stands in the entrance hall is a reminder of
the sacrifices made by earlier generations of Collegiate pupils and a valid
reason to still be proud of my old school and its' fallen heroes.
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#30
THE LIVERPOOL PALS
The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was one of
the oldest infantry regiments of the British Army, having been formed in 1685.
After 273 years of distinguished service in military campaigns around the
world, the regiment was amalgamated with the 'Manchesters' in 1958.
Four
Battalions of Liverpool Pals were amongst the first to answer Kitchener's call
by volunteering in August 1914. These Battalions performed with distinction at
The Marne, Ypres and The Somme, suffering over 2,800 casualties before the
Armistice in November 1918.
The city of
Liverpool drew volunteers from all quarters and memorials to their sacrifice and distinguished service
can be found across the city.
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#31
THE ATHENAEUM
In
1797 The Liverpool Athenaeum was founded. In 1799 its' premises in Church Alley
were opened as a centre of literary activity in Liverpool. This institution
remains open to this day - a quiet haven of tranquillity (and privilege), just yards
from the bustle of Church Street and Liverpool One.
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#32
RSPCA
The first animal welfare society - The Society for
the Supression of Wanton Cruelty to Brute Animals (the forerunner of the RSPCA)
- was launched in Liverpool in 1809. The port of Liverpool used a variety of
animals to help move cargo and goods around the city. Their welfare was a low
priority and cruelty and abuse were common.
At a meeting of a group of like-minded animal
lovers in this coffee house in Bold Street, Liverpool on 25th October 1809,
history was made when plans were made to form a permanent society to protect working
animals.
The cause was taken up by the Reverend Arthur Broome
who went on to change people's attitudes to animal welfare and found the
organisation that subsequently became the RSPCA.
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#33
LIVERPOOL DOCKERS
As
the Port of Liverpool fell into decline, the dockers who worked there acquired
a reputation for militancy and conflict - or solidarity and strength of purpose
- depending on your political persuasion.
Their
organisation and solidarity had its' roots in the way they were treated when
the port was in its' heyday. Dockers were subject to uncertainty and danger in
their line of work. Yet, let it be remembered that when the call came - and in
spite of the fact that Liverpool's dock system was a prime target for the
Luftwaffe - they played a vital role in unloading cargoes that were critical to
the war effort. Even at the height of the May Blitz, the dockers turned up for
work and kept the port open - often working in difficult and dangerous
conditions.
The
nation soon forgot these heroes and was quick to demonise them when forced into
a showdown with Thatcher in 1995 in one of the longest and most tenacious
industrial disputes in British labour history. They lost that particular fight
but kept their dignity and integrity intact. Unlike certain politicians of the
day...
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#34
THE MERSEY TUNNEL
When
it opened in 1934, at 2.3 miles long, the Mersey Tunnel was the longest
subaqeous tunnel in the world. It was
considered to be an engineering marvel, providing a much needed link between Liverpool
and Birkenhead. Growing traffic demands in the 1960's led to work starting on a
second road tunnel which opened in 1971.
Those
who walked through the original tunnel when it opened were given a
commemorative ceramic tile etched with the words 'Mersey Tunnel' - just like
this one.
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#35
HERBERT
Herbert Howe started life as a ladies hair dresser in a small salon called Hills in Cases Street - I know that because my Mum always used to tell me how he washed her hair on his first day as an apprentice there - 'And he's one of them - you know - a homo' she used to add in her own politically incorrect style. In spite of being 'one of them' he went on to own his own salons and achieve pre-eminence in his line of work: Liverpool's hairdresser to the WAGS and wannabees.
Much
more than that, Herbert turned out to be one of life's good guys. His
charitable work locally is legendary and
his salon puts great emphasis on training local young people into the
hairdressing profession and giving them a chance. His flamboyant 'Bling Bling Building' in
Hanover Street is clad in 'gold' - it's classy design a welcome architectural
addition to the city.
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#36
THE WHITECHAPEL CENTRE
I'm
old enough to remember the early days of the Whitechapel Centre when it was a
day centre in .. well, Whitechapel -
obviously. The Centre catered for the
needs of the local homeless community offering meals and washing facilities. But
in a shift of emphasis in the 80s, the Centre turned their attention from
meeting the immediate needs of the homeless to getting them reintegrated into
society and back into housing, when possible.
They
continue to work with the most vulnerable in society in spite of funding cuts
and Liverpool is definitely a better place because of the work done by the good
people at the Whitechapel Centre.
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#37
PEDESTRIANISATION
I
don't claim to be well travelled but I can't recall another city in the world
that has such an expanse of traffic-free real estate as Liverpool. It is
possible to walk from Lime Street to the Dock Road without encountering any
traffic - or from Victoria Street to Hanover Street too.
I
don't know what that translates into acreage but neither Paris, London, San
Francisco, Sydney, New York or Berlin can boast a comparable traffic free space. It's easy to take this for granted and not
notice how lucky we are to get on with our city centre affairs without
encountering traffic and its’ attendant pollution but it's another reason why I
love Liverpool.
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#38
JOHN BRODIE
The
invention of the goal net by John Brodie in 1891 might not have been a major
advance for civilisation but the introduction of this simple aide to the game
of football at Goodison Park certainly changed one of the world's most popular
sports forever.
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#39
OLIVER LODGE
In 1894, the first ever radio broadcast was made by Oliver Lodge,
Liverpool University's professor of physics.
On 14 August 1894, at a meeting of
the' British Association for the 'Advancement of Science at Oxford University' in Liverpool,
Lodge gave a lecture on the work of Hertz (recently deceased) and transmitted
radio signals to demonstrate their potential for communication. This was one year
before Marconi but one year after Tesla did the same thing.
He used the Victoria Tower to send a message which
was received on the tower of Lewis’s store half a mile down the hill. That
store was bombed during WW2 and re-built after the war. A pioneer in his field, Lodge's subsequent
research prepared the way for Einsteins Theory of Relativity. He died at the
great age of 91.
_____________________#40
DAVID SHEPPARD & DEREK WORLOCK
Some
of the 'Scousers' mentioned here weren't Scousers at all - merely adoptees and
intinerants who came to Liverpool and stayed. Liverpool has always been a
melting pot and has, for years, successfully absorbed and synthesised radical
thinking with care and compassion.
These
two clerics transcended their spirtual roles and reached out into the wider
community at a time when Liverpool was having the life kicked out of it by
politicians and business leaders. Both did more for this city than any of the
elected politicians of the day. They achieved all of this and still found time
to defuse forever, the crazy divide between the Orange and Green communities
before things got out of hand a la Belfast. Bless them both.
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